Miles to Go before I Sleep (in My Own Bed)

Today was my last full one in Pittsburgh, so, as I had promised myself, I set out to see the sights, specifically Point State Park and the Carnegie Science Center.

The park was interesting, but, unfortunately, I wasn't able to go out to the Point itself since the large fountain there is undergoing extensive renovation. So, I satisfied myself with a tour of the Fort Pitt Museum, built over a replica of the fort's outer walls (the actual fort was abandoned in 1792 and quickly fell into decline—one blockhouse is all that's left standing). The museum presents the history of the fort and, in particular, its role in the French and Indian War, emphasizing the perspectives of the French and  British troops and their respective Indian allies.

The Science Center is worth at least a full day's visit if you have small children, with dozens of exhibits—many of them interactive—ranging from wind tunnels for paper airplanes (mine was reasonably aerodynamic, but needed a paper clip at the front for balance) to basketball-shooting robots (robot's accuracy: 95%; human accuracy: 17%) to laser harps to a real Cold War-era submarine, plus a separate building housing sports- and health-related displays. (I wanted to ride the little bicycle out across the two-inch-wide steel beam 40 feet off the floor, but I was just a tad over the weight limit. Time to go on a diet, I guess.)

Early flight tomorrow, so bedtime's in about an hour or so. Lucky me managed to score business-class upgrades for both legs home, and I need the rest.